My Big Fat Greek Wedding (Widescreen)

 

 

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Nia Vardalas stars as Toula, the plain unadorned 30 year old single, "unmarried" daughter of a Greek family who have successfully assimilated into American life. They are the owners of "Dancing Zorba's" a popular neighborhood Greek Restaurant in Chicago. Like Greeks everywhere, the cultural values are instilled into the offspring early in life and the extended family is *most* important ... it is central to their lives. This film is a light-hearted comedy which exaggerates some of the amusing moments about a good obedient daughter who is trying to meet the expectations of her Greek immigrant parents and who is also trying to be independent and make a life for herself.

While fulfilling her parents wishes and living within the cultural milieu of the family, Toula dreams of some independence ... she realizes she can contribute something more than being a seating hostess and cashier at the family restaurant. She recalls being in grammar school when she was the only dark brown haired girl, sitting alone eating her packed lunch, home-made "moussaka". At the next table a group of blond haired girls were laughing and asked her what she was eating, Toula told them. Afterwards, one had mocked her food, calling it "moose kaka", making all the girls giggle. At that age Toula felt she was an outsider ... now as a young adult, she wants to spread her wings, take a course at the local university, prove her self-worth and that she is intelligent, not so different from everyone else. She receives the support of her mother and Aunt who convince her dad that she would be a valuable asset at her Aunt's travel agency ... he agrees and they exchange family employees, her male cousin will work at Dancing Zorbas, while Toula will work at the travel agency. After this point in the film, Toula blossoms from a "plain Jane" into an attractive young lady who begins expressing her own interests apart from the family circle. While working at the agency ... a young man walks past the window and waves to her. She recalls he was a customer at Dancing Zorba's, when she was plainly dressed, awkward and shy, while serving him coffee. Now, she is both embarrassed and flatterred by his amusing antics as he tries to capture her attention when working. His ploy works ... they meet and date. Toula makes excuses to the family that she is taking a pottery class in the evening so that she can see Ian Miller, who is a grammar school teacher and vegetarian. He comes from a family that is best described as W.A.S.P.

The film has a superb build up of comedy and suspense as Toula and Ian become more serious. They learn about their unique differences but appreciate each other even more and consider them assets. One of the climaxes in the film is when Toula's female cousin catches her kissing Ian at the travel agency ... The cousin mentions the family knows Toula is dating a non-Greek because an Aunt saw them together and spread the news like wild fire. Ian learns protocol and asks Gus Portokalas, Toula's dad, for permission to date his daughter. Gus refuses because Ian is not Greek. Eventually, the families meet and iron out their differences as both Toula and Ian fall further in love ... The manner in which the couple win over Toula's dad and family is the stuff of great comedy. Both families gradually accept that Toula and Ian are meant for each other and will get married ... but only *after* Ian agrees to convert to the Greek Orthodox so he can marry within her church. Anyone familiar with Greeks who live in the USA will recognize the amusing characters, typical behavior and values that are so realisticlly portrayed in this film. The cast of characters is perfect. This film will appeal to a large audience of different age groups who enjoy comedy and romance.

Erika Borsos (pepper flower)

I first saw My Big Fat Greek Wedding alone on the big screen. I had no idea that it would be such a hit.

Nia Vardalos does an incredible job about bringing out the humor in what it means to be a Greek American. I laughed before things were even said in the movie -- the Greek school scene, the Greek "boys" her dad wants her to marry, the brother, and the pomp & circumstance of the wedding. This is a funny movie, I think for non-Greeks, but for Greeks, it's a must. You have to see this movie. How often does anyone make a movie about Greek Americans anyway??

That being said, the dialogue could have been improved. Ian was a bit boring and flat of a character. I suppose that was the point, seeing as we were supposed to "see" Toula better. I think if Vardalos had realized what a hit she had on her hands, there would have been more polish on the movie. As it is, it is a diamond in the rough -- more or less.

This film is austere but delightful. Written with sincerity and honesty. Affective memories support this movie.
Laughable situations along the process to approach to the greek mood.
Good performances and fluid script.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
I had seen this interesting and humorous dvd before and liked some of it. I decided I'd like to own it and watch it again. Thank you.

Published 6 months ago by LinDawn

5.0 out of 5 stars tres satisfaite
j'ai offert cette video comme cadeau. le personne qui l'a reçue l'a beaucoup aimé.
le service etait parfait. Je suis tres satisfaite.

Published 7 months ago by M. R. Credi

5.0 out of 5 stars Give me a word....any word.
Toula (Nia Vardalos) is a thirty something, single American Greek girl, and, in the eyes of her family, rapidly becoming over the hill. Read more

Published on July 31 2006 by Ms. H. Sinton

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious and sweet
I saw this movie with my best friend and it was awesome.

I love how Ian goes to great lengths to be accepted by Toula's family. Read more

Published on July 19 2004 by Desiree

3.0 out of 5 stars It's All Greek To Me!
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is the Greek-American take on love, work, food, drink, school, language, religion, fashion and dating among other things. Read more

Published on July 19 2004 by Matt Poole

4.0 out of 5 stars Reminds Me of My Family and Their Big Fat Irish Weddings!
We rented this movie on DVD and I have to say that I liked My Big Fat Greek Wedding and totally agree that you don't have to be Greek to enjoy it. Read more

Published on May 8 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious Apple & Orange Wedding
Story is simple but it's fun and loveable. It talks about how an orange meets with an apple and get married together with completely different background and families pressure... Read more

Published on May 1 2004 by Otto Yuen

4.0 out of 5 stars Big fat greek fun
OK, my family is a little crazy like this, but we are not greek, so i can totally relate to this story. Read more

Published on April 16 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars You don't have to be Greek to enjoy it
This movie was very enjoyable and refreshing. I couldn't stop laughing. Some people are complaining it didn't have a plot. Stupid idiots. Read more

Published on April 3 2004 by Megzi

1.0 out of 5 stars A huge disappointment.
I watched this movie hoping it would live up to all the hype and it didn't. The only funny part about this movie was the old Grandmother from Greece sneaking out of the house and... Read more

Published on Mar 18 2004 by Katie

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